Getting Your Hands On An iPad Mini Might Prove Difficult

The iPad Mini could be in short supply, assuming that Apple announces the long-rumored tablet later this month. According to DigiTimes, sources within Foxconn and Pegatron have indicated that the tablet’s black-anodized aluminum case is resulting in low yield rates.

According to the report:

The iPad mini reportedly will come in native- and black-colored aluminum chassis, which are more vulnerable to scratching, said the sources, adding that the anodized finish process on the black cases is more critical, which often results in lower yield rates.

Earlier this week, The Wall Street Journal reported that the 7.85-inch device would come without a Retina display, featuring instead a LCD display by LG Display and AU Optronics. Production on iPad Mini parts is said to have started in September, with manufacturing happening at Foxconn’s operations in Brazil.

There is nothing to indicate that the DigiTimes article is incorrect, but one should consider the source. The Taiwanese site has often published rumors that later turned out to be incorrect. Consider this as we get closer to the iPad Mini’s likely launch on Oct. 17.